The Neubrandenburg Art Collection has launched a groundbreaking new exhibition series titled "Here and Now" with a special tribute to recently deceased painter and graphic artist Karlheinz Wenzel. This inaugural exhibition marks a significant addition to the museum's programming, designed to showcase artists from Neubrandenburg and the surrounding region alongside the institution's existing rotating special exhibitions and collection displays.
The new series represents one of the first major initiatives under the leadership of Ulrike Pennewitz, who assumed her role as the new director this summer, succeeding long-time director Merete Cobarg. The "Here and Now" series aims to present contemporary artistic positions from the region through alternating solo and group exhibitions, fostering dialogue about the people and landscapes that shape local artistic expression.
Karlheinz Wenzel, who died in October at the age of 93, was widely regarded as one of Neubrandenburg's most distinguished artists after making the city his home in 1970. His most recognized works include the relief "Tree of Joy of Life" at the Regional School in Neubrandenburg's eastern district and the mural "The Four Times of Day" at the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Medical Center. Beyond his own artistic achievements, Wenzel left a lasting impact as an art educator, inspiring and nurturing artistic passion through his leadership of painting and drawing courses.
The premiere exhibition will feature works from both the Art Collection's holdings and Wenzel's estate, including his 1974 painting "Evening over the Southern City." The exhibition opens on Wednesday, December 10, at 5:00 PM and will remain on display until March 1 at the museum's location on Große Wollweberstraße.
The new series builds upon the region's rich artistic heritage, which museum organizers trace back to the Center for Visual Arts founded in 1969. During the East German era, this center attracted numerous artists to settle in the Four-Gate City and the Mecklenburg Lake District. The Art Collection itself was established in 1982 with a particular focus on East German and regional contemporary art.
Currently, the Neubrandenburg Art Collection is also hosting the special exhibition "Change of Location" featuring the work of brothers Peter and Torsten Ruehle, which runs until January 25. The museum's permanent exhibition "The Lucky Catch" on the upper floor provides insight into the nearly 8,000-work collection, which prominently features high-ranking artists significant to the region and state. The Art Collection's name pays homage to the Municipal Art Collection founded in 1892, which was lost due to war damage in 1945, and the institution continues to focus primarily on current artistic developments.
